FAA-approved, ready-to-install solution enables bidirectional, air-ground transmission of video

Persistent Systems, (“Persistent”), a leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) technology, announced today the release of the Airborne Wave Relay® System (AWRS), a quick-install MANET solution certified by the FAA for select Textron Aviation/Cessna aircraft.

Housed in a 3/4 Air Transport Rack (ATR), and easily installed on certified aircraft covered under the Approved Model List (AML), the AWRS enables Next-Generation ISR, which uses high-throughput, bidirectional, beyond-line-of-sight video connectivity to massively improve air-to-ground communications.

“All this is accomplished without requiring the warfighter to carry specialized receiver equipment or remain out in the open during transmission,” said Persistent Systems program manager Rob Truglia.

With AWRS, warfighters and dismount users on the ground have real-time situational awareness, allowing them to communicate and share video/sensor data with pilots and onboard sensor operators. Users can also control the camera on the aircraft, via their MPU5 MANET radios, speeding up the tempo of operations.

“AWRS is a huge boost for aircraft companies that want to offer a Next-Generation ISR solution, while also reducing the cognitive load on the soldier,” said Truglia. “Previously, they’d have to install the MANET hardware themselves with complex cabling and connectors. Now they have a purpose build, pre-wired, FAA-certified solution that saves time and money.”

Last year, Persistent Systems received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the FAA to install the AWRS on Textron Aviation/Cessna 172, 182, 206 and 208 aircraft. More aircraft can also be added to that approved list with additional FAA engineering and testing.

“We are very excited about AWRS. We built this solution from the ground up, and getting an STC is a major milestone for a non-aviation company,” Truglia said. “Customers using our airborne networking solutions have likewise expressed enthusiasm for this unique solution.”

So far, Persistent has received multiple domestic and international inquiries for AWRS, including existing airborne users of the company’s MPU5 MANET radio, defense contractors and non-US government agencies.

“We are already in talks with customers in Africa and Asia,” Truglia said, “and we expect more discussions soon. AWRS changes the art of the possible for airborne ISR.”

About Persistent Systems, LLC

Headquartered in New York City since 2007, Persistent Systems, LLC is a global communications technology company that develops and manufactures a patented and secure Mobile Ad hoc Networking (MANET) system: Wave Relay®. Wave Relay® transmits and receives data, video, and voice under the most difficult conditions. Their suite of products is utilized in Commercial, Military, Government, Industrial, Robotics, and Unmanned Systems markets.